Photo: Belinda Jiao/PA Media Assignments
This weekend is set to be a momentous time for our country. England’s Red Roses will take to Twickenham on Saturday, September 27, to face off against Canada – in front of a record-breaking crowd – as they look to win the Rugby World Cup on home soil. And in honour of their impressive display throughout the tournament this year, a striking trail of red roses has popped up in London.
Celebrating players current and past, the red roses have surrounded the London Eye with an eye-catching display. All in all, there are 267 bespoke red roses comprising the trail. On each red rose, you’ll find the name of an England Red Roses player. There is a rose on the trail for every single woman who has led the way and pulled on a white shirt. That’s tracing all the way back to the team’s first official match in 1987.
Photo: Belinda Jiao/PA Media Assignments
You’ll have to act fast to see the trail, though, as it will only be in place until Sunday, September 28. We reckon there will be plenty of revellers there on the final day, celebrating the (hopeful) World Cup win! It’s just the sort of picturesque spot to make the perfect background for a celebration as it honours the Red Roses’ past and present, and looks to the future.
When the trail of red roses comes down, the players will receive their respective roses as a “lasting keepsake of their place in history.”
Said Red Rose number one, and captain of the 1994 World Cup winning squad, Karen Almond:
“Standing here today and seeing every player honoured is an incredibly special moment. When we lifted the Rugby World Cup in 1994, we couldn’t have imagined a tribute like this at the heart of London against the backdrop of the iconic London Eye. It’s a reminder of how far the women’s game has come, and how much further it can go. But this isn’t just about the players of the past or the squad of today, it’s about inspiring the next generation.”
(l-r) Former England Rugby players, Janis Ross, Maxine Edwards, Gill Burns, Karen Almond and Emma Mitchell. Photo: Belinda Jiao/PA Media Assignments
Young girls who are inspired to get involved with the sport can visit FindRugby. There, they can take the first step in becoming part of the next generation of superstars for England Rugby.
📍 You can find The Trail of Roses at the London Eye, Southbank. The nearest station is Waterloo.